Returning Contributors: The Union Farmers’ Skill Positions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A fixture in the state playoffs, both historically and contemporarily, the Union Farmers have arguably been New Jersey's most successful public school program. Having made the playoffs every year they were played since&nbsp;<em>at least&nbsp;</em>2018, Head Coach Lou Grasso's squad finished as the #9 seed in the North, Group V playoff bracket and concluded the season with a 5-6 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although they are losing talent in a few key places, the Farmers' crop of returning players are just about ripe to climb the standings. Here are a few prospects who we ought to expect big individual seasons from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-linemen/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen-ii/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line, Part 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-defensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Defensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-offensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Offensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-linemen-2/">Linden Tigers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-morristown-colonials-skill-positions/">Morristown Colonials' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-skill-positions/">Piscataway Chiefs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-linemen/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-watchung-hills-warriors-skills/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-skills/">Westfield Blue Devils' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["960400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Projecting to be the Farmers' lead man out of the backfield is [player_tooltip player_id='960400' first='Roneil' last='Romain']. Last fall Romain rushed 87 times for 504 yards and 1 score while adding 4 catches for 33 yards and 9 tackles (4 solo) on defense. Romain is a power runner, plain and simple. Defenses should know better than to try to tackle him up high as they have a propensity to roll off of him. He also excels at rushing between the tackles, gaining tough yardage in key situations. His success in such situations can be partly attributed to how he keeps his feet moving. Also in his arsenal of skills is the ability to understand leverage, as he will often u0022give inu0022 to the tacklers' leverage, protect the ball, and spin out for additional yardage. Romain can, however, shift his hips just well enough to change his track and redirect without it looking like a dramatic cutback. When asked to block Romain does much more than merely give a chip. In limited clips at linebacker we see Romain read reach blocks clearly and set a hard edge. When a hole opens up the 2025 graduate will insert himself into that gap with urgency. Romain also offers the versatility to play both off the edge or inside. Should Romain seize the bell cow role in the backfield I would encourage him to work on lowering his pad level a bit. Doing so will decrease the surface defender's have to take him down.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db377"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18089457/6548e56ba0188c11cc193348' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db440"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389775"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Known in some circles simply as u0022Stretch,u0022 [player_tooltip player_id='389775' first='Renick' last='Dorilas'] is the most explosive player for Union and one of the most explosive in North Group V. Doing a little bit of everything, last fall we saw the FBS-bound corner make 41 tackles (28 solos), 2 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR, 2 Int, and 1 pick-six. An offensive threat as well, Dorilas slashed 35/552/5 as a receiver and 19/219/3 on the ground. The first think that pops about Dorilas is his foot speed. Fast, yes, but his ability to reach back and find another speed - making him routinely the fastest player on the field - is simply elite. This speed and explosiveness allows him to take the top off of opposing defenses and never be out-positioned when defending. Running fast is not all he does well either though, as Dorilas is a tremendous run support corner as a force player. We see him make an abundance of solid, technically-sound tackles when playing the flat. Something I do not see much of on film now a days is jamming a receiver at the line; however, Dorilas has shown clips of this on his film and also film of others I have watched. When he presses and jams, two things typically happen: receivers' either have to redirect their route or they never get off the line. An opportunistic player, we see him attack balls that are not pinned to the ball carriers chest, creating a havoc play. With an abundance of FBS offers at-hand, and more to surely come, the only thing left for Dorilas to do is climb state rankings. I think he can do that if his films includes clips of him facing different types of concepts (i/e: smash, switch, flood) and making electric plays when offenses try to place in him in a bind.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db4a9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16362858/654844f2c119a009b8a66654' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db4d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208011"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lining up opposite Dorilas on offense is wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1208011' first='Cedrick' last='Raymond']. This big body receiver does an outstanding job using his hands, rather than his body, to catch the ball. Due to his height he naturally has a tremendous catch radius. This allows Raymond to adjust to poorly thrown balls, in every direction, very well. He also does not u003cemu003enecessarily u003c/emu003ehave to just to high point the ball because of how he towers over opposing corner backs. Raymond also can get in-and-out of his breaks well, as he chops his feet to change direction without losing much speed. I personally can see colleges targeting Raymond as a tight end. That said, I would encourage him to include clips of him run blocking, blocking for fellow receivers with the ball, and running point in bunch formation. Raymond was good for 272 yards and 3 scores on 20 catches last fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db51f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19690249/655152374ba7a803e4cd1511' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db53c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208012"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the Farmers' leading tacklers from a year ago is back. [player_tooltip player_id='1208012' first='Bryan' last='Accinot'] was amongst the team's leaders with 93 tackles (60 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception. Film shows us that Accinot is exceptional blitzer, fighting and attacking to get upfield in a hurry making quarterbacks uncomfortable and forcing running backs to stop their feet. With as much force and power Accinot brings to his tackles, he often has to just u003cemu003elean u003c/emu003eon ball carriers before they are downed. Accinot redirects his angles fairly well, especially when setting up the inside pass rush move with the outside speed rush. Accinot also was featured as a fullback in goal line sets where he took his physicality to another level. Accinot must continue to work his pass drops and get to his landmarks. A strong 7-on-7 summer circuit will do the trick.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db59f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18578911/6549087464df860828de2ad4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db5cc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208013"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Teaming up with Accinot at linebacker for one more go is [player_tooltip player_id='1208013' first='Dakari' last='Dugger'], who concluded last season with 80 tackles (51 solo), 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Dugger is very quick off the snap of the ball and can redirect his leverage angles with ease. Air Dugger might be an appropriate name for him, as we see he has tremendous leaping ability that disrupts passing lanes for quarterbacks. When in coverage Dugger has shown a propensity to break up passes by either playing the hands when the ball arrives or tipping the ball when he can. When sent on a stunt, Dugger cannot be contained with just any running back - that running back ought to be stout and strong because Dugger will eat up just any back. Another hitter, we see that he uses momentum to finish his tackles and appears to understand his defensive checks well and sees reach blocks and screens clearly. Dugger will continue to level up as he becomes more instinctive to reacting to what is happening in front of him and attacking his gap accordingly.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db62e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18661491/65490719c11b3c0528ad3e3f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db64d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208014"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Joining Dorilas for the 2024 season is fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1208014' first='Zion' last='Lake']. Last fall Lake was credited with 30 tackles (19 solo)  with 1 TFL. Lake appears to be Union's roll down safety in their cover 3 shell. When down near the line of scrimmage he plays the reach extremely well, setting a hard edge and forcing a cutback to his pursuing help. He also, instinctually, gets hands on defenders when he is rolled down. Near the goal line I admire what Lake brings to the table in terms of discipline and not biting on anything, keeping his responsibility as edge defender. When tackling Lake looks to go bowling, taking you out at-or-below your knees. Lake will allow the Farmers to do more things on defense as he improves his back pedal and pass drop. Doing so will allow him to take aggressive jumps on the ball, make more explosive plays, and ascend as a threat at all three levels of the defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db6a9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18442041/654859825eec0a0b902b7107' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db6ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208015"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The final Farmer skill highlighted today is their quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1208015' first='Omalley' last='King']. Last fall King was 80/180 with 1283 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, while adding 153 yards and 3 scores on 48 rushes. When given ample time King's mechanics click, allowing him to deliver a ball with some serious mustard on it. He also has good timing with his receivers, perhaps due to the fact that his two returning receivers are in his same class of 2025. Throwing on the run is something that King appears to do well too. We see that he can readjust his body when rolling or scrambling to his left and roll out action are some of the team's favorite calls. In my opinion King is a better runner when plays break down than on designed plays, showing his ability to showcase his athleticism and ability to create for himself when needed. For me, King's play takes another step forward as he works on his on-target throwing accuracy. Doing so will allow his receivers to accept the ball and rack up YAC.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f08096db711"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18074075/6510b4b2da5c0f06102fe8e0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f2556b14535"} /-->